Dr Liz Mellor

I am registered gestalt psychotherapist with the UKCP (UK Council for Psychotherapy).

We are still living in very uncertain times and there is much understandable anxiety, overwhelm, depression, sadness, grief and anger. All this can take its toll in ways we might not have predicted. As you read this, you may be looking for a little more support for whatever brings you to therapy at this time.  

Over the last decade, I have worked in a hospice, in a voluntary counselling agency, in the NHS, and in the mental health charity MIND, as a volunteer and in free-lance paid work. I now have a Private Practice welcoming adults, couples, and students and am also a supervisor and trainer of psychotherapy.  I offer a safe, confidential, caring, supportive and non-judgemental space to explore whatever brings you to therapy. I offer short term work (6-12 weeks), work with EAPs (Employment Assistant Programmes) and longer term work. With travel becoming increasingly expensive, and increased flexible working after Covid-19, I currently offer telephone or online sessions with a view to offering both face-to-face and remote work in the near future. 

At the heart of my practice is the unique relationship which forms between client and therapist as a potential for growth. ‘Gestalt’ means pattern, constellation or whole, and as a gestalt therapist, I am interested in the shapes and patterns you bring as well as the ones which will start to take shape in therapy. In this way, this is a bespoke therapy and flexible. The beauty and joy of this approach enables change, however small, to support you to live life more hopefully for yourself and in relationship with others. It is a mutually enriching experience.

My training and experience can also support moments in therapy when words may be difficult by engaging creative approaches. This doesn’t mean you have to create something that has to be a certain way. Rather, an image for example may emerge which you might feel drawn to work with, and for which the significance may become clearer as we work together. This approach can support clients who may be feeling anxious, overwhelmed, sad or depressed. It can also be helpful in supporting choice, and in developing a surer sense of self; for safely working with challenging relationship issues (in the past or present); for creating life-lines to understand life-changes (e.g. divorce/separation/retirement/identity issues/ bereavement and loss); and in working with traumatic moments or life-events. Equally, it can support discovering something new as a spur to growth and healing. Some clients coming to the end of therapy have commented on how this approach helped them identify and remember pivotal moments (‘hidden treasures’) in therapy which offered them comfort at the time, provided moments of inspiration and insight along the way, helping to develop and embed ongoing coping strategies and /or envisioning possibility for the future. It is important to offer choice in all parts of therapy and to work in a way and at the pace which feels right for you.

More about me

For 35 years I taught music and creative arts in schools, colleges and universities. As I began to be curious about psychology and the arts this led me to further study and eventually to qualifying and registering as a UKCP Gestalt Psychotherapist. Just as I found working alongside young people, whatever their backgrounds and experiences on their journeys of transformation, I also find working as a therapist equally rewarding. It was a natural transition for me.

Now retired from my full-time job in Higher Education, I currently work in Private Practice. I am also a supervisor and a course tutor on the Relational Gestalt Diploma at the Scarborough Counselling and Psychotherapy Training Institute (SCPTI). I enjoy working with clients as well as counsellors /psychotherapists in training.

Having worked in education for many years, I understand the pressures and challenges of working and studying in educational environments from a staff and student perspective. I bring this to my work as a therapist.

Individual Therapy : £45 for a 50 minute session.

(Reduced rate  of £40.00 for students on counselling /psychotherapy training courses).

Supervision: I also offer individual and/ or group supervision at £45 per hour.

(Reduced rate  of £40.00 for students on counselling /psychotherapy training courses).

Availability and Access

I offer sessions on weekdays / evenings in York (Y031) which take place in a dedicated room with a private entrance. This a light and airy room overlooking a private garden on the ground floor with disabled access.  It is in walking distance from the City Centre and on a regular Park and Ride Bus Route  (Monks Cross- Number 9 Service). There is also off-road parking if you travel by car.

Currently I am working remotely.

How to contact me

To arrange an initial conversation you can either email or telephone me. I have an answer phone where you can leave a private message with your preferred contact number  and times when you will be available for me to return your call. From here we can arrange a mutually convenient time to meet for an initial session.

Click her to send me an email                                   mobile:  07981381510